She Beast (1966)

A young woman is driving alongside a lake. She has an accident and the car plunges into the water. Her body is then possessed by the spirit of an 18th-century witch who was killed by local ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Reeves (as Mike Reeves)

Writer:

Michael Reeves (as Michael Byron)

Stars:

Barbara Steele, John Karlsen, Ian Ogilvy

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barbara Steele	...	Veronica
John Karlsen	...	Count von Helsing
Ian Ogilvy	...	Philip
Mel Welles	...	Ladislav Groper
Joe 'Flash' Riley	...	The She-beast Witch (as Jay Riley)
Richard Watson	...	Comrade Police Lieutenant
Edward B. Randolph	...	Man on Scooter / Man Wearing Red Sweater (as Ed Randolph)
Peter Grippe	...	Policeman
Lucretia Love	...	Groper's Niece (as Lucrezia Love)
Ennio Antonelli	...	Truck Driver (as Tony Antonelli)
Kevin Welles	...	Boy in Flashback
Woody Welles	...	Boy at Cockfight

Storyline

A young woman is driving alongside a lake. She has an accident and the car plunges into the water. Her body is then possessed by the spirit of an 18th-century witch who was killed by local villagers, and is bent on avenging herself on them.

---

Plot Keywords:

supernatural horror | gothic horror | actual animal killed | 

---

Taglines:

Deadlier than Dracula! Wilder than the Werewolf! More frightening than Frankenstein!

---

Genres:

Horror | Thriller

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

She Beast

Filming Locations:

Pratica di Mare, Pomezia, Roma, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

£15,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Euro American Pictures, Leigh Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Italian censorship visa # 49265 delivered on 31-5-1967.

---

Goofs

When drowning the witch using the dunking machine, the witch appears to be in no danger of drowning. The water never quite reaches her head.

---

Connections

Featured in TJ and the All Night Theatre: The She-Beast (1981)

User Reviews

My Review Of "She Beast"

A word of warning to any Wiccan or Witch, "The She Beast" is a film that adheres to the very old world Catholic view of witches. That view is the same as in the silent film classic "Haxan". That all witches were hideous she devils hidden away from society and only interested in communing with the devil and eating your children. However as a horror fan who is well aware that this is an out-dated offensive view toward anyone who practices the ancient art I love this representation of the witch as ultimate monster, frankly because it gets old seeing possible "lipstick lesbians" hanging out in coffee shops and celebrating themselves all over Nature's good grace only victimized and forced to use magic in self defense. This "offensive" alternate look at the witch is far more fun and entertaining to watch on screen. Now for my review.

"The She Beast" stars Barbara Steele and Ian Ogilvy as a couple of British subjects on a European honeymoon vacation arriving in Transylvania. The rest at a hotel in the cursed town that his keeper of a legend of nightmare. In the 18th century the villagers laid to rest a nasty witch after she had taken one too many of the town's children. Unfortunately for them they did not wait for the Van Helsing family to properly exorcise the wretched creature so they live in the shadow of the deed that comes back to live again once more.

The film relies on minimal dialog that actually leads you into the story, only highlights of what is happening are actually held up with commentary. Most of the conversation revolves around poking fun at old world superstitions, trivial every day stuff and jabs at communism. The film is super low budget and was only shot in 21 days which shows. There is a continuous flow as the plot twists and dialog bounce from the four main characters that play a part in the witch's resurrection that seems rushed and careless. However the on screen action that unfolds in this classic B movie is fun as hell and the witch is truly a sight to see. Sadly she is not really as gruesome as one would hope, shown more like a wild animal that keeps getting loose instead of a planned revenge with system. Barbara still is classic Barbara in the film which truly is the saving grace of this little film. The sound and film quality are not all that great but for me gave that drive in B movie feel that just added to my experience of watching this one. I definitely see myself enjoying it over and over again just for the fun of it. Oh and because it is Barbara Steele. I just luv her!